I remember reading books, do you?

I used to read books a lot more than I do now. Let's face it, besides newspapers and (paper) magazines, books were the only source for this kind of pastime before the advent of the WWW. Comic books you say? My Dad forbade me from reading or owning comic books. I can't recall his exact reasoning for this restriction, something about them being "silly, worthless, and non-educational". My friends' old copies of Superman, The Hulk, and Spiderman found their way into my hands on occasion, so I did get my comic book fix every once in a while.

My choice of reading material was the paperback novel. I read lots and lots of paperbacks in my pre-teen years. Most of these were adventure stories, war stories, Hardy Boys, and...James Bond novels. From 1962 (I was 12 that year) until 1965 or so, I read all of Ian Fleming's stories about the British Secret Service agent...double oh seven!

Beginning with Dr. No, I couldn't wait for the next one to come out. The order in which I read them corresponded to the release of the motion pictures. In other words, I read the book...then saw the movie (sometimes, the other way around). By the way, the Bond films (22 of them) were not made in the same order in which Fleming's books were published. In fact, Casino Royale was the first Bond book, published in 1953. It was made into a movie (the first time) in 1967, then again in 2006. The '67 version didn't resemble past Bond flicks as it was a comedy spy-spoof about an aging Bond (played by David Niven) coming out of retirement to concoct a plan to thwart the evil SMERSH organization. It also starred Peter Sellars, Ursula Andress, Woody Allen, and a host of other contract players from that studio. Orson Welles handled the part of Le Chiffre (one of the actual evil-doers from the novel and the 2006 film). Consequently, the 1967 Casino Royale isn't really considered a "Bond film" by fans (including yours truly). Dr. No, the first Bond flick, came out in 1962. Followed by From Russia, With Love ('63), Goldfinger ('64), and Thunderball ('65), etc, etc. In fact, the last line in the credits from those films always mentioned the next Bond movie, already in production.

Yup, I actually read 'em all. And, of course, I've seen all the films. Ian Fleming passed away in 1964. The James Bond book legacy continued on though, most written by a guy named John Gardner. Fleming's 007 novels ended with Octopussy and The Living Daylights.

My favorite Bond book? From Russia, With Love. My favorite Bond movie? , With From Russia, With Love? My favorite movie Bond? C'mon...let's be "real"!

Leaderbike Single Speed #1...almost done.

The bicycle thing - update

Like I said recently, this bicycle thing has become very gratifying for me. My biggest challenge: stop from buying additional parts and older bikes before "moving" finished projects. Speaking of finished projects, one is complete and one will be 90% complete today (after the UPS guy makes a visit).
The logo above will likely be the decal placed on the cross tubes...white on the darker color bikes.

Below are a few shots of the what my garage shop looks like right now. I don't realistically anticipate having a shop/studio space anytime soon, though that is certainly not out of the question for the future. I say "studio" because bicycle "studios" are growing, ie, small, custom operations designed to build a limited number of bikes by appointment only. In addition, an outside space will accommodate a photo studio as well. By that time, perhaps my 40 hour a week job with the major retailer I work for will not be necessary (or possible). Who knows?






That last shot on the right is the opposite of the garage. And, no, we don't keep our cars in the garage now...ever! The six or so bikes I have will eventually make their way to hanging on the wall and from the ceiling. But, I don't want to do anything very permanent as we will most likely be moving within a few months or so. Moving to a rental in another part of town. Fortunately, this "business" will be easy to move anywhere.

The Mother Road website won't happen until after the first of the year. In the meantime, it will have to exist soley on eBay. I hesitate to list any of the bikes locally as I have no desire to let people test ride these custom bikes I work very hard to build. Besides, Modesto is not a bicycle town by any stretch of the imagination. Many riders I've spoken to have told me horror stories of getting hit with beer cans, spit, and paint balls while riding around here.

One good thing about Modesto...the Fall weather. It's been very nice, mild, almost balmy in the afternoons. Great time for a short ride once in a while!

What dreams may come...

Dinner last night was Orange Chicken and Chow Mein Noodles...and this fortune cookie.

My first bike project heads to eBay this week. Four more are under "construction".

Stress...where did mine go?

It may be time for me to write a new Bucket List. Yes, I recently saw the move, The Bucket List...and, I've made these lists before. Heck, I made Bucket Lists when I was 7 years old! After all, I have the list gene. The reason why I should revisit this list of things-I've-yet-to-do-but-would- like-to-do-before-I-kick-the-bucket? Well, realistically, we don't have the funds that jack Nicholson had in that movie! And, most of my goals and priorities have changed drastically in the last few months. And, yes, I've changed a bit.

Loretta and I were chatting the other day about our wants and needs at this point in our lives. The subject of stress came up again...or lack thereof. "Honey", I said with raised eyebrows, "should I be concerned that I'm not stressed out any more?" She replied with her usual, casual reassurance, "No". I went on to remind her that my new job garners less than half the income I was making in a former career (albeit, half the hours and no stress). We owe lots of money that we can't repay. And I don't foresee any short or long term change in that situation. By the way, Loretta and I have had this conversation on numerous occasions. It seems in this state of unstress I manage to attempt to manufacture stress, at least when I think I should be stressed out! "Don't worry", she comforted me (again), "We're doing what we can. Besides, let me remind you of that little diddy your Mom used to say to you: They can't eat you!" Kind of turn on the question 'What's the worst that can happen thing', ie, answer: someone (or something) eating you. Sorry, you had to be there I guess.

Back to the New Bucket List. Well, gotta think about that one. Since things have changed so much in our lives, and will continue to change, er, I mean evolve, some thought must be put toward this. Perhaps I should wait until my birthday in January...I'll be 59. Maybe I should hold off until my 60th, that's an appropriate point in my history to re-establish goals...realistic goals this time. The only problem with waiting until my 60th birthday is that there are a few things I'd like to check off of that list before my 60th. Some of which I need to start training for now. Did I say training? Yes, I did.

So, the New Bucket List will take a little time to compile. It will be much more succinct that the last one I did a couple of years ago. I think it was 55 things on my 55th birthday. This time, I will do some judicious editing and come up with those goals and aspirations before January, probably next week! Gotta start training you know.

It won't be too awful disappointing to remove from that old list Flying in an F-14 or White Water Rafting in Nepal. Besides, we have some pretty nifty rivers close by. And, we also have several places to skydive! It's all good. I have my first grandchild(son) due in January!

It's time now to move forward...

I have much to say about how I feel two days after the election. But, for now, I will just link you to my daughter Jenifer's blog who said it with graceful eloquence.



And, yes, Loretta and I voted!

What season are you in?

It's funny to me how every year at this time we whine about the coming of winter, the time change, and the early darkness.

Just a month ago we were whining about the sweltering, 100+ degree heat at 7:30pm, the oppressive summer, and the huge air conditioning electric bills.

In a month, it will be dark at 4:30pm.

Loretta and I were talking about these changes the other day. I waxed nostalgic about how, as a child, I so looked forward to the coming of Summer, getting out of school and Summer vacation. I also greatly anticipated with great joy, the coming of Fall and returning to school and Thanksgiving. Surely everyone one of us enjoyed the weeks leading up to Winter, Christmas vacation, and Christmas itself. Spring was the only time of the year that didn't hold much fascination with me. Growing up in southern California, Spring was kind of a non-season. Except for Easter (Spring) vacation, there wasn't much to look forward to, except that it meant we were getting closer to Summer again.

So which season's arrival do I relish the most now? Why, this season, of course. I really appreciate the coming of Fall. Let's call it by its more proper name, Autumn. After all, it is the Autumnal Equinox. This year, it came at 3:44pm on September 22nd. Equal day and night. It happens at the Vernal Equinox (Spring) as well for one day and night.

Autumn is surely the most colorful of the seasons. Plant life on Earth remind us that change is underway. Some regions do that more expressively than others. Around these parts, Northern Central California, the trees turn vibrant hues of red, yellow, and brown...then shed all or most of their leaves almost as much as in New England. The wind blows more often, and the rains begin to make their appearance from time to time. And the temperature is just right. This move out of the 90's and 100's to the 70's and 80's makes every day much more bearable.

I'm not spring chicken any longer! Perhaps that is why I hold Autumn in such an enamored state. I'm living in the Autumn of my life every day now. Hopefully, it's early autumn as I am looking forward to the next 10 years or so as the most enjoyable, most productive, most self-aware time of my life. Hopefully, I truly know who I am, what I am, and where I am going. At least I have a better idea of the direction than in years past. Still adrift in a fall breeze like a dry leaf, I'm enjoying the journey. The destination is no longer as important as it used to be.

The roses in the window box are tilted to one side

I haven't written for a while. If that deserves an apology here, so be it. I apologize.

Not writing hasn't been for lack of thought, just lack of motivation I suppose. Many changes have transpired in the last few months. Not drastic changes, just, well, changes in direction for me.

There has been a return to work, as in an 8 to 5 job. In this job, I am a non-member of management in a very, very large company...the name of which is not important at this point. What I am actually doing at this job is irrelevant as well. I am reminded daily (by myself) of a saying some past pundit passed on to me years ago: "This job is not what I am. It's simply what I do right now". That pundit was an old boss in another lifetime who has since been flushed from my life. But, I did retain some snappy sayings and anecdotes from him...very few of these preachings did he actually practice. It was more of the usual in the end, "Do as I say, not as I do" sort of thing.

One thing I can tell you. I've been enjoying a new hobby of sorts. Playing with bicycles. Seems I enjoy working on them, restoring them, and even riding them (again). Each one has been a "project" that I've actually completed. For those who don't know me, I am, among other things, completion-challenged.
I quite often start things...and don't finish them. Not all things, just most of them. I get bored very often and very quickly, and these projects simply get pushed aside for some other "light bulb" appearing over my head. It wasn't always like that though. As a child I built hundreds of plastic models. I lived in the world of Revell planes, cars, and other miniature machinery. I always finished them all. In fact, I resurrected that delight when my son Jimmy was very young. I helped him build an entire air force of vintage model airplanes that hung from the ceiling of his bedroom. So, now it is the cycle of the bicycle for me. Until something strikes my fancy perhaps.

Metaphorically at this point in time...if I had a window box with roses planted...they would indeed be tilted to one side. What that Elton John song* line means, as with most metaphoria, is up to the individual. I just know I ain't standing up as straight as I used to! But, at least I'm still standing. OMG! Isn't that another Elton John tune? Totally inadvertent on my part.

By the way, I'm not so sure roses are actually meant to be planted in window boxes. Could this be the reason they are tilted to one side!

*Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding - 1973